The Thermal Degradation of Polymer Blends of Polyacrylonitrile

The introductory chapter reviews both general aspects of polymer degradation and, in more detail, the relationships between the chemical structure and thermal stability of vinyl polymers. A brief description of polymer blends and their usage is given together with a survey of recent work upon the thermal behaviour of such systems. Chapter 2 summarizes the experimental aspects of the work. The first section deals with the preparation and purification of polymers used in subsequent chapters. The second part described the thermal analysis techniques and procedures which were used in examination of both polymers and polymer blends. The thermal degradation of polyacrylonitrile and of blends of polyacrylonitrile and polymethylmethacrylate is studied in detail in Chapter 3. The decomposition of polymethylmethacrylate is shown to undergo significant changes upon blending. The effect has been found to vary with blend composition and has been attributed to reaction with gaseous volatiles evolved from polyacrylonitrile decomposition. The rate of coloration and thermal degradation of nitrile polymers has been previously shown to be influenced by both the nature and amount of initiating structures either within the polymer chain or present as additives. In Chapter 4 the degradation of polyacrylonitrile in the presence of chlorinated polymers is found to be similarly influenced and in each system examined separation of the exothermic nitrile oligomerization process from chain scission reactions is evident. In Chapter 5 polyacrylonitrile blends containing polystyrene and polymethylacrylate are studied. Molecular mass results obtained after isothermal degradation of the blends reveal a reduction in chain scission which is consistent with a reduction in intermolecular chain transfer reactions between degrading polystyrene and polymethylacrylate. The thermal behaviour of both polymethacrylonitrile and blends of polyacrylonitrile and polymethacrylonitrile is examined in Chapter 6. The results of blend degradation indicate nitrile oligomerization to occur in polymethacrylonitrile accompanied by a reduction in the evolution of methacrylonitrile. A range of methylmethacrylate-methacrylamide copolymer compositions is discussed in Chapter 7. Thermal decomposition is shown to result in cyclization reactions between adjacent comonomer units which effectively reduces the methacrylate monomer yield. Similarities are drawn between copolymer behaviour and polymethylmethacrylate degradation in the presence of polyacrylonitrile

ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition in liver disease

This update of evidence-based guidelines (GL) aims to translate current evidence and expert opinion into recommendations for multidisciplinary teams responsible for the optimal nutritional and metabolic management of adult patients with liver disease. The GL was commissioned and financially supported by ESPEN. Members of the guideline group were selected by ESPEN. We searched for meta-analyses, systematic reviews and single clinical trials based on clinical questions according to the PICO format. The evidence was evaluated and used to develop clinical recommendations implementing the SIGN method. A total of 85 recommendations were made for the nutritional and metabolic management of patients with acute liver failure, severe alcoholic steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis, liver surgery and transplantation as well as nutrition associated liver injury distinct from fatty liver disease. The recommendations are preceded by statements covering current knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology and pathobiochemistry as well as pertinent methods for the assessment of nutritional status and body composition

ILC Reference Design Report Volume 1 - Executive Summary

The International Linear Collider (ILC) is a 200-500 GeV center-of-mass high-luminosity linear electron-positron collider, based on 1.3 GHz superconducting radio-frequency (SCRF) accelerating cavities. The ILC has a total footprint of about 31 km and is designed for a peak luminosity of 2x10^34 cm^-2s^-1. This report is the Executive Summary (Volume I) of the four volume Reference Design Report. It gives an overview of the physics at the ILC, the accelerator design and value estimate, the detector concepts, and the next steps towards project realization.The International Linear Collider (ILC) is a 200-500 GeV center-of-mass high-luminosity linear electron-positron collider, based on 1.3 GHz superconducting radio-frequency (SCRF) accelerating cavities. The ILC has a total footprint of about 31 km and is designed for a peak luminosity of 2x10^34 cm^-2s^-1. This report is the Executive Summary (Volume I) of the four volume Reference Design Report. It gives an overview of the physics at the ILC, the accelerator design and value estimate, the detector concepts, and the next steps towards project realization

ILC Reference Design Report Volume 4 - Detectors

This report, Volume IV of the International Linear Collider Reference Design Report, describes the detectors which will record and measure the charged and neutral particles produced in the ILC's high energy e+e- collisions. The physics of the ILC, and the environment of the machine-detector interface, pose new challenges for detector design. Several conceptual designs for the detector promise the needed performance, and ongoing detector R&D is addressing the outstanding technological issues. Two such detectors, operating in push-pull mode, perfectly instrument the ILC interaction region, and access the full potential of ILC physics.This report, Volume IV of the International Linear Collider Reference Design Report, describes the detectors which will record and measure the charged and neutral particles produced in the ILC's high energy e+e- collisions. The physics of the ILC, and the environment of the machine-detector interface, pose new challenges for detector design. Several conceptual designs for the detector promise the needed performance, and ongoing detector R&D is addressing the outstanding technological issues. Two such detectors, operating in push-pull mode, perfectly instrument the ILC interaction region, and access the full potential of ILC physics

ILC Reference Design Report Volume 3 - Accelerator

The International Linear Collider (ILC) is a 200-500 GeV center-of-mass high-luminosity linear electron-positron collider, based on 1.3 GHz superconducting radio-frequency (SCRF) accelerating cavities. The ILC has a total footprint of about 31 km and is designed for a peak luminosity of 2x10^34 cm^-2 s^-1. The complex includes a polarized electron source, an undulator-based positron source, two 6.7 km circumference damping rings, two-stage bunch compressors, two 11 km long main linacs and a 4.5 km long beam delivery system. This report is Volume III (Accelerator) of the four volume Reference Design Report, which describes the design and cost of the ILC.The International Linear Collider (ILC) is a 200-500 GeV center-of-mass high-luminosity linear electron-positron collider, based on 1.3 GHz superconducting radio-frequency (SCRF) accelerating cavities. The ILC has a total footprint of about 31 km and is designed for a peak luminosity of 2x10^34 cm^-2 s^-1. The complex includes a polarized electron source, an undulator-based positron source, two 6.7 km circumference damping rings, two-stage bunch compressors, two 11 km long main linacs and a 4.5 km long beam delivery system. This report is Volume III (Accelerator) of the four volume Reference Design Report, which describes the design and cost of the ILC

International Linear Collider Reference Design Report Volume 2: PHYSICS AT THE ILC

This article reviews the physics case for the ILC. Baseline running at 500 GeV as well as possible upgrades and options are discussed. The opportunities on Standard Model physics, Higgs physics, Supersymmetry and alternative theories beyond the Standard Model are described.This article reviews the physics case for the ILC. Baseline running at 500 GeV as well as possible upgrades and options are discussed. The opportunities on Standard Model physics, Higgs physics, Supersymmetry and alternative theories beyond the Standard Model are described